The Kerala Document Writers', Scribes' and Stamp Vendors' Welfare Fund Act, 2012

This Act may be called the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Act, 2012. (2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 31st day of January, 2012.

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) “Board” means the Kerala Document Writers', Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Board constituted under section 9; (b) “cessation of employment” means ceasing of employment of a licensee consequent to the cancellation or surrender of the licence obtained for doing the employment; (c) “contribution” means the amount payable to the Welfare Fund by the members under sub-section (1) of section 4 and by the Government under sub-section (1) of section 26; (d) “dependent” means wife or husband, minor sons, unmarried or widowed or divorced daughters, mentally or physically disabled children, father, mother who are solely dependent upon the member; (e) “Document Writer” means a person having a licence who is engaged in the profession of preparing documents including 'enquiry as to title, preparation of draft deeds and engrossing the deed on stamp paper for registration as per the Kerala Document Writers’ Licence Rules, 1960; (f) “Fund” means the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare fund constituted under sub-section (1) of section 3; (g) “Government” means the Government of Kerala; (h) “Inspector General of Registration” means the Inspector General of Registration of the Government of Kerala; (i) “member” means a Document Writer or a Scribe or a Stamp Vendor, who has been admitted as a member of the Welfare Fund under the provisions of this Act or who is continuing as a member of the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Scheme, 1991; (j) “notification” means a notification published in the Kerala Gazette; (k) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act; (l) “Registering Authority” means the District Registrar (General) of the district concerned; (m) “Scheme” means the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors' Welfare Fund Scheme framed under this Act; (n) “Scribe” means a person who assists a Document Writer in the preparation of documents and who possesses a valid scribe licence to transcribe the documents to be presented for registration as defined in sub-rule (5) of rule 3 of the Kerala Document Writers’ Licence Rules, 1960; (o) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Board constituted as per this Act; (p) “stamp” means the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors' Welfare Fund Stamp printed and distributed under section 24; (q) “Stamp Vendor” means a person who has acquired a licence as per rule 35 of the Kerala Manufacture and Sale of Stamp Rules, 1960 and actively engaged in the profession of selling non-judicial stamps and stamp papers.

(1) The Government shall, as soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act, by notification, frame a Scheme to be called the “Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Scheme” and after the framing of the Scheme, constitute a Fund to be called “the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund” in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Scheme. (2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Scheme may provide for all or any of the matters specified in the Schedule. (3) The following shall be credited to the Fund, namely: (a) contributions under sections 4 and 26; (b) application fee realised under section 5; (c) any amount borrowed under section 15; (d) all amounts collected by way of sale of stamp under section 24; (e) any donation voluntarily made to the Fund by any association or institution or any other person; (f) any profit, interest, dividend or other income on any investment made of any part of the Fund; (g) any grants, loans or advances as may be given by the Government of India or the State Government or any other institution or organisation; (h) two per cent of the amount being received by the Stamp Vendors as commission; (i) amount transferred under section 30; (j) any fees levied under the Scheme; (k) any other amount, to be credited to the Fund under the provisions of the Scheme; (l) any amount raised by the Board from other sources to augment the resources of the Fund. (4) The Fund shall vest in the Board and be administered by the Board. (5) The Fund may be utilised for all or any of the following purposes, namely: (a) for the payment of a fixed amount and pension to a person, who had been a member and remitted contribution for not less than five years and ceased his employment or unable to continue in the employment due to ill health, at such rate as may be specified in the Scheme, based on the number of years in which he had remitted contribution; Explanation 1.- The Board shall have the power to take decision regarding the eligibility of pensionary benefits payable to a member who could not continue his employment due to ill health. Explanation 2.- A person who had completed sixty-five years of age and who had been a Document Writer, Scribe or Stamp Vendor for twenty five years before the commencement of this Act shall become eligible for special pension if he becomes a member and remits contribution for a period of one year under the provisions of this Act. (b) for the payment of family pension on the death of a member who had remitted contribution for not less than ten years; (c) for the payment of financial assistance on the death of a member due to illness or accident; (d) for the repayment of the contribution amount remitted by the members with such interest, as may be specified in the Scheme, when they arc incapacitated to do work due to permanent physical disability or on the cessation of their membership in the Welfare bund; (e) for the payment of financial assistance to meet the expense towards medical treatment of the members affected with serious ailment; (f) for the payment of financial assistance to meet the marriage expense of the members and their daughters and for the maternity expense of the female members; (g) for the payment of financial assistance or loans or advances to the members for the purpose connected with their employment or for the construction of dwelling house or for the maintenance or renovation of the house or for the purchase of land for the construction of house or for the purchase of land and building and for the education, including higher education of the children of the members; (h) for the payment of special relief to the members who suffer from physical disability; (i) for any other purpose specified in the Scheme; (j) for the day to day administrative expenses of the Board. Explanation.- For the purpose of this sub-section the contribution remitted by a person who had been a member of the Kerala Document Writers, Scribes and Stamp Vendors Welfare Fund Scheme, 1991 and the number of years in which he had remitted contribution to the said Welfare fund shall also be taken into account. (6) The Scheme framed under sub-section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is framed, before the Legislative Assembly while it is in session for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly makes any modification in the Scheme or decides that the Scheme should not be issued, the Scheme shall, thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the ease may be; so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that Scheme.

(1) Every Document Writer, Scribe and Stamp Vendor who is eligible to become a member shall pay one hundred rupees per month as contribution to the Fund. (2) The Government may, by notification, from time to time, revise the rate of contribution referred to in sub-section (1) up to a maximum limit of five hundred rupees, taking into account the amount required for the management of the Scheme. (3) The contribution shall be paid in the name of the Secretary or officer authorised in this behalf, in the manner specified in the Scheme.

(1) Any person holding a valid licence of document writer or scribe under the Kerala Document Writers' Licence Rules, 1960 or a valid licence of a Stamp Vendor under the Kerala Manufacture and Sale of Stamp Rules, 1960, as the case may be, and is below the age of 65 years on the date of application may apply to the Board for admission as a member of the Fund in such form and manner as may be specified in the Scheme: Provided that, where the Fund under the Kerala Document Writers, Scribes and Stamp Vendors Welfare Fund Scheme, 1991 is transferred to the bund under sub-section (1) of section 30, those who arc members of the said Scheme shall be deemed to be the members of the Fund from the date of such transfer: Provided further that no person employed as a Document Writer, Scribe or Stamp Vendor after retiring from the service of the Central Government or any State Government or any public sector undertaking or local Authority with retirement benefits, shall be eligible for membership in the Fund. (2) On an application under sub-section (1), the Board may make such enquiry as it deem fit and either admit the applicant to the Fund or for reasons to be recorded in writing reject the application: Provided that no order rejecting an application shall be passed unless the applicant has been given an opportunity of being heard: Provided further that any person aggrieved by an order rejecting any application for membership may prefer an appeal to the Government within such period as may be specified in the Scheme. (3) Every applicant shall pay an application fee of one hundred rupees along with

(1) The membership of a member shall be cancelled by the Registering Authority if it is found that a member has made manipulation of any kind or has given false information at any time in connection with the conditions for the membership or to obtain benefits as per the Scheme: Provided that, no order of cancellation of membership shall be passed unless the applicant has been given an opportunity of being heard. (2) Membership in the Fund shall automatically cease if a member commits default in payment of contribution for six months continuously. (3) If the Registering Authority is of the opinion that a member is not functioning as a Document Writer or Scribe or Stamp Vendor, as the case may be, his membership in the Fund shall be cancelled. The date of cancellation in such cases shall be, as may be fixed by the Registering Authority and shall be intimated to the members in writing. (4) Appeal against the orders of the Registering Authority shall be filed before the Inspector General of Registration within such period as may be specified in the Scheme. (5) A member may voluntarily retire from the Fund by submitting a letter addressed to the Registering Authority. In such case, the date of retirement shall be the dale on which the member has submitted his letter.

The membership of a member which has been ceased under sub-section (2) of section 6 may be revived on payment of arrears along with interest at twelve per cent per annum within six months from the date of cessation of such membership: Provided that the membership, of a member who is in arrears for a period of more than one year, shall not be revived without the permission of the Government.

The Government, shall by notification, frame onetime settlement scheme for revival of membership of persons , who have ceased to be members on account of default in the payment of contribution towards the fund under sub-section (2) of section 6.

(1) Government may, by notification, amend the Scheme framed under this Act, either prospectively or retrospectively. (2) Every notification under sub-section (1) shall be laid as soon as may be, after it is issued, before the Legislative Assembly while it is in session for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid, or the session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly makes any modification in the notification or decides that the notification should not be issued, the notification shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be, so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that notification.

(1) The Government may, by notification, with effect from such date as specified therein, constitute a Board to be called the “Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Board” for the administration and management of the Fund and to implement and supervise connected activities. (2) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Board having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall by the said name, sue and be sued. (3) The Board shall consist of seven official members representing the Government and five non-official members representing the beneficiaries of the Fund as may be nominated by the Government and as hereinafter provided, namely: (a) Minister in charge of Registration Department- he shall be the Chairman of the Board; (b) The Secretary to Government, Taxes Department- he shall be the Vice-Chairman of the Board; (c) The Joint Inspector General of Registration - he shall be the Secretary of the Board; (d) An officer of the Finance Department not below the rank of Deputy Secretary nominated by the Government; (e) An officer of the Labour Department not below the rank of Deputy Secretary nominated by the Government; (f) An officer of the faxes Department not below the rank of Deputy Secretary nominated by the Government; (g) An officer of the Law Department not below the rank of Deputy Secretary nominated by the Government; (h) Five non-official members representing the Document Writers, Scribes and Stamp Vendors nominated by the Government, of whom one person shall be a woman. (4) The Board shall administer the Fund vested in it in such manner as specified in the Scheme. (5) The Board may, with the previous approval of the Government, delegate to the Chairman or to the Secretary such of its powers and functions under this Act or the Scheme as it may consider necessary, for the effective management of the Fund, subject to such restrictions and conditions, as it may deem fit.

(1) The Board shall meet at least once in three months to transact its business. (2) Six members of the Board including at least four official members and two non-official members shall form the quorum for a meeting of the Board. (3) The Chairman or in his absence the Vice-Chairman, or in the absence of the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman, a member of the Board to be elected from among the members present at the meeting shall preside over the meeting of the Board. (4) Any matter coming up before a meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of the members of the Board present and voting at the meeting and in the ease of equality of votes, the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman or the member of the Board who presides over the meeting, shall have right for a casting vote.

(1) The non-official members appointed under sub-section (3) of section 9 shall hold office for a period of three years from the date of publication of the notification constituting the Board in the Gazette. (2) Any non-official member may resign his membership by giving notice in writing to the Government, but shall continue to hold office until his resignation is accepted by the Government. (3) The Government may at any time, for reasons to be recorded in writing, remove from office any official member, if the Government arc of opinion that, in public interest it is improper to allow such member to continue in office.

(1) The Government may remove any non-official member of the Board from office. (a) if he is of unsound mind; (b) if he is adjudged as undischarged insolvent; (c) if he, without the permission of the Board, has been absent from three consecutive meetings of the Board; and (d) if in the opinion of the Government, he is not suitable or has become incapable of acting as a member of the Board or has so abused his position so as to render his continuance as member of the Board detrimental to public interest: Provided that before removing a member of the Board under this sub-section, he shall be given a reasonable opportunity to show cause why he should not be removed. (2) A non-official member of the Board removed under clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall be disqualified for renomination as a member of the Board for a period of three years from the date of his removal unless otherwise ordered by the Government. (3) A non-official member of the Board removed under clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall not be eligible for renomination until he is declared by an order of the Government to be no longer ineligible.

Sitting fees to the non-official members, travelling allowance and daily allowance to all members of the Board shall be at such rate as may be prescribed.

(I) The Government may appoint such officers and staff as they may deem necessary, in such manner as may be prescribed, on deputation from the Registration Department for assisting the Secretary m the performance of the functions of the Board under this Act. (2) The Secretary of the Board shall be responsible for the implementation of the decisions of the Board.

The Board may, from time to time, with the previous approval of the Government and subject to such terms and conditions as specified by the Government, borrow money for the purposes of the Fund.

Every non-official member of the Board shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (Central Act 45 of 1860).

No suit or other Legal proceedings shall lie against any member of the Board or any other person assisting the Board in the discharge of its functions and duties in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done under this Act or under the Scheme.

The Government may, from time to time, give directions to the Board, and the Board is bound to implement them.

(1) The Government may, at any time, appoint an officer not below the rank of a Secretary to Government as enquiry officer to enquire into the working of the Board and to submit report to the Government. (2) The Board shall give the enquiry officer so appointed facilities for the proper conduct of the enquiry and furnish to such documents, accounts and informations in the possession of the Board as he may require.

(1) The Board shall appoint such auditors to audit the accounts of the Fund in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) The accounts of the fund shall be audited once in every year by such auditors.

(1) The annual report of the Fund shall be prepared under the direction of the Board and after approval by the Board, a copy of the report together with audited statement of accounts shall be submitted to the Government before the 31st of July every year. (2) The Government shall, as soon as the annual report is received, cause the same together with the audited statement of accounts to be laid before the legislative Assembly.

No Civil Court shall have jurisdiction to settle, decide or deal with any question or to determine any matter which is by or under this Act or the Scheme required to be settled, decided or dealt with or to be determined by the Government or the Board or the Secretary or any officer authorised by the Board.

The Board shall, for the purposes of enquiry under this Act. have the same powers as arc vested in a Civil Court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Central Act 5 of 1908) in respect of the following matters, namely: (a) enforcing the attendance of any person or examining him on oath: (b) requiring the discovery and the production of documents: (c) receiving evidence on affidavit; and (d) engaging Commission for the examination of witnesses.

(1) The Board shall get printed at the Government Press stamps of the value of fifty rupees inscribed as “the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Stamp”, in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) Every document prepared by a licensed document writer and presented in any of the Sub-Registrar Offices in the State to be registered in book L III or IV, as the case may be, shall be affixed with a stamp as specified in sub-section (1), in addition to the stamp duty chargeable under the Kerala Stamp Act 1959 (17 of 1959): Provided that this sub-section shall not apply to any document prepared and presented for registration on behalf of the Central Government or the State Government or Local Self Government Institution. (3) Every stamp affixed as specified in sub-section (2) shall be cancelled in the manner provided for in section 12 of the Kerala Stamp Act, 1959 (17 of 1959). (4) The custody of the stamps printed under this section shall be with the Board and the supply and sale of stamps shall be in such manner as may be prescribed.

(1) In case of cessation of membership due to default or disqualification, the member or his nominee may apply for the amount remitted as contribution in the manner stated in the Scheme. (2) Any member whose membership has been ceased or his nominee shall not be eligible for any benefit from the Welfare Fund. (3) The contribution if any remitted after the date of cessation of membership, shall be refunded in full without any interest thereon. (4) Any amount that has been received wrongly by a member or person nominated by him. shall be recovered from such person by appropriate legal proceedings.

(1) Ten per cent the total amount contributed by the members during a financial year of the expenses to be incurred under the head of pay and allowances of the staff including bonus and encashment of leave but excluding travelling allowance, assigned for the administration of the Welfare Fund, whichever is less, shall be given as Government contribution. (2) At the end of every financial year, the Secretary shall calculate the expenses including bonus and encashment of leave but excluding travelling allowance, assigned for the administration of the Welfare Fund, under the head of account of pay and allowances of the staff and shall intimate the same to the Government. (3) If the amount so calculated is found to be more than ten per cent of the yearly contribution of the members, the difference between this amount and ten per cent of the yearly contribution of the members, shall be withdrawn from the Welfare Fund and remitted to the head of account concerned fixed from time to time.

No act done or proceedings taken under this Act or the rules or scheme made thereunder by the Board shall be invalid merely by reason of. (a) any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Board: or (b) any defect or irregularity in the nomination of any person as a member thereof; or (c) any defect or irregularity in any act or proceedings of the Board.

(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may,, by order published in the Gazette, make provisions which appear to them to be necessary and not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, for the purpose of removing the difficulty: Provided that no such order shall be passed after the expiry of two years from the date of commencement of this Act. (2) The order issued under sub-section (1) shall be placed before the Legislative Assembly.

(1) The Government may, by notification, make rules either prospectively or retrospectively for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be alter it is made, before the Legislative Assembly while it is in session for a total period of fourteen days which may be comprised in one session or in two successive sessions, and, if, before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately following, the Legislative Assembly makes any modification in the rule or decides that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be, so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, from the date to be notified by the Government, all amounts standing in the credit of the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes' and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Scheme, 1991 shall stand transferred to and credited to the Fund established under this Act and with effect from such date the liability of a member to pay contribution to the Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes' and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Scheme, 1991 shall cease. (2) All claims in respect of the said Fund may be determined by the Board constituted under this Act.

(1) The Kerala Document Writers’, Scribes’ and Stamp Vendors’ Welfare Fund Ordinance, 2012 (48 of 2012) is hereby repealed. (2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or deemed to have been done or any action taken or deemed to have been taken under the said Ordinance shall be deemed to have been done or taken under this Act.